Australia says 'no' to early release of Pak cargo

ISLAMABAD – “We are sorry, however, can’t promise early release of scientific instruments to Pakistan, but make sure there should be no interruption for Australian companies transporting goods to Afghanistan through Pakistan’s soil,” Australia’s National Security Advisor, Mr. Duncan Lewis is said to have conveyed to Pakistan on Thursday.
Duncan Lewis said this in a meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday. According to insiders, the Australian Security Adviser informed Qureshi that the ban on shipment of scientific equipments was not a Pakistan-specific action, therefore, he could not assure early release of this shipment to Pakistan. However, he said Pakistan’s concerns would be conveyed to the Australian Government.
When contacted, the Spokesperson of Foreign Office strongly rejected reports of Australian Government’s ban on delivery of scientific instruments to Pakistan by an Australian company (GBC Scientific Equipment). “There has been no restrictions imposed by the Australian Government regarding export of instruments/goods to Pakistan, however, every company is bound to take permission from the government according to criteria set by the law of land. It may be the case that the company (which is trying to exports these instruments from Australia to Pakistan) has failed to meet the criteria to export goods to Pakistan, however, there is no reality regarding the ban on shipments of goods to Pakistan,” the Spokesperson said.
It is pertinent to mention here that Australia has blocked a shipment of scientific equipment to Pakistan and the authorities here in Islamabad rather than doing something to secure early release of its blocked shipment, have enhanced security measures for the Australian companies, which have been transporting goods to Afghanistan (mainly to NATO and Australian troops) via Pakistan.
The Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan, Tim George and other members of his delegation were also present in the meeting held between Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Australian National Security Advisor.

Source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/09-Apr-2010/Australia-says-no-to-early-release-of-Pak-cargo